Collecting rocks from the beach is a pastime enjoyed by many around the globe. Whether these rocks are a permanent display around your home or are only kept around for a short time, they need to be cleaned.
In this guide learn how to clean rocks from the beach in a simple easy-to-follow process. Proper cleaning of beach rocks will remove any dirt and living bacteria present on the rocks.
How To Clean Rocks From The Beach
- Cleaning rocks from the beach will ensure that all bacteria and dirt is removed so they are safe to handle.
- In this guide, you will learn how to clean rocks with vinegar, an exceptional natural cleaning agent that is readily available.
What You Will Need:
The materials needed to clean rocks from the beach are very simple and likely lying around your house somewhere already.
Steps for Cleaning Rocks From The Beach
1: Prepare the Vinegar Solution
- Begin by filling a 5-gallon bucket with a few inches of water. In most cases, after the vinegar is added, this will be more than enough solution to cover all of the rocks that need to be cleaned.
- After the water is in the bucket, add enough vinegar so that the bucket is 1/4th of the way full.
- If you are not using a 5 Gallon bucket, simply ensure your solution is 2:1 using water and vinegar
2: Submerge the Dirty Rocks
- Submerge the dirty rocks into the solution, and let them sit for one minute.
- If there is not enough solution to cover all the rocks, add more vinegar.
3: Scrub The Rocks Clean
- To thoroughly clean the beach rocks, begin by removing them from the solution.
- Use a coarse bristle brush to agitate anything on the surface of the rock. The dirt and debris should be easily rubbed off the rocks at this stage.
- If the grime is not coming off, submerge the rocks into the vinegar for one more minute.
4: Rinse the Rocks
- After you have scrubbed the vinegar solution into the rocks, give them a thorough rinse.
- The easiest way to rinse the rocks is using a sink. This will clear the beach rocks of any grime still left on their surface after the scrubbing process
Note: Do not use high water pressure to clean the rocks such as shale, as they can break. Always use water from either a sink or hose.
5: Let the Rocks Dry
- The last step is to let the rocks dry out. Lay a towel down in the direct sunlight, lay the clean rocks on the towel, and let them sit for an hour.
Congrats! You have learned how to clean beach rocks with vinegar! Continue reading to see answers to rock cleaning FAQ.
How To Clean Rocks From The Beach – FAQ
How To Clean Beach Rocks For Aquarium
- Rocks from the beach can be cleaned using a soap detergent or vinegar. To clean the rocks for an aquarium, fill a bucket with a 2:1 ratio of water to vinegar, submerge the rocks for one minute, scrub and rinse the rocks, then leave them out to dry. Once they are dry, place them in the aquarium.
How To Clean Rocks From The River
- Cleaning rocks from the river can make for a beautiful display in your home. To clean the river rocks, fill a bucket with a 2:1 ratio of water to vinegar, submerge the rocks for one minute, scrub and rinse the rocks, then leave them out to dry. Once they are dry, display them.
How Do You Remove Sand From Rocks?
- Removing sand from beach rocks is something that always needs to be done. To remove the sand, place the rocks in a strainer and spray them with a hose
- If the rocks have crevices or pits, use a pressure washer to blast the sand out of the hard-to-reach places
Can You Bleach Rocks?
- Bleaching rocks can lead to more discoloration than you may think. Instead of making the rocks perfectly clean, it can cause discoloration and a patchy look.